Everyone had ideas for the big day, but Harmanpreet Kaur recognized that out of all the well-intentioned recommendations she received, the renowned Sachin Tendulkar’s phone call was the one that deserved her attention.
The captain of the Indian women’s team received a special call the night before the historic final versus South Africa, and it was none other than the man who made history.
“The night before the match, Sachin (Tendulkar) sir called. He shared his experience and asked us to keep our balance. When the game is going fast, just slow it down a little. Try and control it because when you go too fast, chances are you can stumble. That’s what we need to avoid,” Harmanpreet said on The ICC Review.
Five days have passed since that incredible night in Navi Mumbai, but considering how quickly things have changed, the captain is still processing that after 16 years in international cricket.
“Whenever we are seeing each other, we are just saying, ‘world champion’. It’s a very different feeling. We were waiting when we would get to feel this way.
“My mother and father were there. For me, it was a very special moment to lift the World Cup trophy with them. Since my childhood, they have heard me say that I want to wear India’s jersey, play for the country, lead the team and win the World Cup.”
After Mahendra Singh Dhoni (2011) and Kapil Dev (1983), Harmanpreet is only the third Indian captain to win a senior ODI World Cup trophy. It’s even more noteworthy because she was the first female skipper to accomplish it. But it may take some more time for reality to set in.
“To be honest, I’m not able to think about this right now. Maybe, I will realise after a few months what we have achieved. What we have given our country. I can’t process this right now,” said the 36-year-old on the unique feat.
“I spoke about the same with Amol (Muzumdar) sir, it feels like we have won some bilateral series and we’re going back home. The impact of it is something we’ll realise in a few months. Right now, it just feels like a dream.”
This triumph was the pinnacle of her 16-year international career, since she had previously led India to the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final.
The captain immediately recognized three players who were instrumental in this historic victory: her deputy Smriti Mandhana, all-rounder Deepti Sharma, and Shafali Verma.
“As soon she (Shafali) came into the squad, everyone was talking about whether we should play her or not. We knew that she has played in (T20) World Cups before. She has won the U19 World Cup as well,” Harmanpreet noted.
“She was familiar with the pressure and the stage, and how important her role was. We were very clear that she was going to play in the final. She can come and bowl those few overs, if we needed.
“When the partnership (of Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus) started building, I had the thought that we should at least give her one over and see what happens. And instantly, she got us two back-to-back breakthroughs and that shows how much she wanted to perform for the team, and she did.”
Harmanpreet complimented Mandhana’s natural talent to score runs and the team’s constant support for her.
“Her contribution to the team will always be remembered. I remember, all of us, whenever she is batting, we are praying. Every day we are praying that she scores a century. Because when she gets the runs, everything else just falls into place.”
The reliable Deepti, who was named Player of the Tournament, finished with 22 wickets and contributed 215 runs, rescuing the innings from difficult situations against England, Sri Lanka, and South Africa in the final with scores of fifty or more.
“All she needed was a push. Because somewhere we all were feeling that she holds herself back. That she doesn’t believe as much in her ability for the team.”
